The feeling you get when your presentation is met with resounding applause is nothing short of euphoric. The sense of accomplishment makes all the hard work and preparation worth it. However, the reality is the feeling of accomplishment only lasts for a minute before the applause fades and it’s time to move on to a new presentation.
What if rather than recreating every presentation there were a way to reuse what you already know works and experience the standing ovation over and over again? The good news is you can! All it takes is a few tweaks, and you will discover your presentation doesn’t just land with one audience but most likely with many audiences.
Here are 4 ways to tweak your presentation so that it can be used for any audience.
Tell audience-relevant stories.
Did you know facts and figures only activate 2 regions of the brain, but stories can activate 7 regions of the brain? The truth is that good stories help your audience to stay more engaged and retain more information simply because their brains are more engaged. Which is why switching up your stories to ensure that they speak to each of your audiences will help take a reusable presentation to the next level. When selecting your stories, be sure to think about your audience. Don’t make your selection based on what you want or like to share, but instead think about what your audience would like to hear.
Keep your slides simple.
By choosing to use slides that are simple from the start you are giving yourself the ability to reuse those slides without a lot of editing. Stick to high level information that is timeless. Avoid dates, dated images, and information that will only speak to certain audiences. When creating your initial design, think to yourself, “Will this slide be relevant in 5 years?” If anything on the slide leads to the answer “no,” try to rework the slide in a way that creates a timeless design.
Create a powerful sticky statement.
In his book, Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication, Andy Stanley speaks to the importance of a “Sticky Statement.” He highlights how with just 1 or 2 sentences, you have the ability to compel your audience to take action. If your presentation is going to be reusable, it is vital that you craft a simple, yet powerful sticky statement. This idea should be something that speaks to all humans regardless of age, gender, or demographic. It is important to note that if you are unable to create a sticky statement that does this effectively, it is best not to reuse your presentation. However, if you can craft a main idea that crosses boundaries, you are well on your way to a reusable and continually relevant presentation. When crafting your sticky statement, ask yourself “What do I want my audience to be saying when they leave today?”
Dress the part.
You would be surprised how simply changing your clothing selection drastically affects how you relate to different audiences. By dressing in such a way that makes sense and resonates with your audience, you automatically put yourself on the same playing field as them. Even if the content does not directly relate or connect in slam-dunk fashion, they will feel like you understand them and are one of them. There is, however, a fine line when it comes to dressing for your audience, and that line comes into play when you stop dressing like yourself. Audiences can spot a fake from a mile away, so be sure to start with your personal brand, then add elements to your outfit that connect to the brand of your audience.
Reusing a presentation and adapting something you’ve already created does not mean you are putting in any less work. In fact, by reusing a presentation, you allow yourself to hone your delivery and create a presentation that continually wows your audience. By implementing these 4 changes, you ensure that your presentation will continue to hit the mark no matter who is in the audience.
Interested in elevating your presentation ability? Check out our new Presentation Mentor online course today for great insight into how to take your skills to the next level.
